Cool roof batten assembly

ABSTRACT

A cool roof batten assembly with a vertical batten spacer which facilitates the rapid installation of battens on a roof comprises a unitary inverted U-shaped sheet material, a mounting flange extending outward perpendicularly from the ends of the sheet material and two outwardly directed retention flanges, into which the battens fit.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a cool roof batten assembly with a vertical batten spacer which facilitates the rapid installation of battens on a roof.

BACKGROUND

A recognized method used in the art for creating thermal efficiency in steep slope roof structures is “above sheathing ventilation”. This is accomplished by applying vertical or counter battens to the roof deck over a vapour barrier system, to which horizontal battens are then applied. The optimal method in terms of thermal efficiency for attaching roof battens in steep slope roof structures is to first apply the vertical or counter battens above a vapour barrier system. Horizontal battens are then positioned on the vertical battens and fastened to the vertical battens and the underlying roof sheathing substrate with nails or screws. The addition of the vertical battens beneath the horizontal battens minimizes water pooling, provides improved airflow and roof deck ventilation, while reducing energy costs and extending the life expectancy of the steep slope roof structure.

Unfortunately, elevating a horizontal batten between two interspaced vertical battens may result in the horizontal batten snapping or buckling during installation, especially under the combined weight of the roofing material substrate and the weight of the installers. This typically occurs when the vertical battens are spaced too far apart or if the vertical battens are extremely dry or made from sub-grade materials. As a result, roofing contractors typically attach the horizontal battens directly over the roof sheathing or deck, despite the aforementioned advantages associated with the use of vertical battens. The horizontal battens are typically positioned using chalk lines and batten gauges, which is time consuming and often prone to error.

Correct installation of all overlying roofing substrates, especially interlocking metal roofing tile and panel systems, requires accurate installation of battens and counter battens to individual manufacturer spacing requirements. As batten spacing is governed by individual roofing manufacturer's specifications and local construction codes, custom batten layout is generally required for every strapped roof system installation.

A need exists for an improved batten assembly for steep slope roof structures that can be rapidly installed to a manufacturer's specifications with a high degree of accuracy without using chalk lines or batten gauges, and without compromising the advantages associated with vertical battens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cool roof batten assembly that incorporates custom spaced batten wells set to predefined manufacturer batten spacing requirements at a range of heights to facilitate improved sheathing ventilation. The cool roof batten assembly may also accommodate a suspended radiant vapour barrier membrane.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper batten riser and mount member comprising a unitary inverted U-shaped sheet material having an upper planar surface and two vertical side surfaces; a mounting flange extending outward perpendicularly from each of the ends of the sheet material; and two outwardly directed retention flanges coupled to the upper surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper batten riser and mounting assembly comprising a longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material having an upper planar horizontal surface and two vertical side surfaces; a mounting flange extending outward perpendicularly from each of the ends of the sheet material along its length; and a plurality of pairs of retention flanges coupled to the upper surface at predetermined distances along the length of the sheet material.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower vertical drip channel support assembly comprising a longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material having an upper planar horizontal surface and two vertical side surfaces; channel bottom surfaces extending outwardly from each end of the sheet material; channel side walls extending outwardly from each end of the channel bottom surfaces, wherein the channel side walls are substantially perpendicular to the channel bottom surfaces and substantially parallel to the interior side walls; and support flanges extending outwardly from each end of the channel side walls, the support flanges being substantially perpendicular to the channel side walls.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vertical batten spacer comprising a plurality of inverted U-shaped sheet material units, each unit having an upper planar surface and two side surfaces; at least one lower surface connecting the plurality of sheet material units at predetermined distances apart, wherein the at least one lower surface extends outward perpendicularly to the lower end of the side surface.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cool roof batten assembly comprising a vertical batten spacer assembly described above which is mounted to a roofing material, preferably in sequential fashion parallel to eaves and ridges; a lower vertical drip channel support assembly described above mounted transversely to the length of the vertical batten spacer assembly, the longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material of the lower vertical drip channel being in a nested relationship with an inverted U-shaped sheet material unit of the vertical batten spacer assembly; an upper batten riser and mounting assembly described above mounted along the length of the lower vertical drip channel support assembly, the longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly being in a nested relationship with the inverted U-shaped sheet material unit of the lower vertical drip channel support assembly; and a radiant barrier mounted and supported between the lower vertical drip channel support assembly and the upper batten riser and mounting assembly, the radiant barrier extending laterally between successive lower vertical drip channel support assembly-upper batten riser and mounting assembly units.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cool roof batten assembly comprising a vertical batten spacer assembly described above mounted to a roofing material, preferably in sequential fashion parallel to eaves and ridges; an upper batten riser and mounting assembly described above mounted transversely to the length of the vertical batten spacer assembly, the longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly being in a nested relationship with an inverted U-shaped sheet material unit of the vertical batten spacer assembly.

According to still yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cool roof batten assembly comprising a vertical batten spacer assembly described above mounted to a roofing material, preferably in sequential fashion parallel to eaves and ridges; an upper batten riser and mounting member described above, individually mounted transversely to the length of the vertical batten spacer assembly, the longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material of the upper batten riser and mounting member being in a nested relationship with an inverted U-shaped sheet material unit of the vertical batten spacer assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a vertical batten spacer according to the present invention;

FIG. 1 b is a perspective close up view of the vertical batten spacer of FIG. 1 a showing the upper surface according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of an upper batten riser and mounting assembly member according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a perspective close up view of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member of FIG. 2 a showing the rectangular perforation and batten retention flanges according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 c is a perspective view of a single upper batten riser and mounting assembly member according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 d is a perspective view of a single upper batten riser and mounting assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 e is a front view of a batten coupled to the single upper batten riser and mounting assembly member of FIG. 2 c;

FIG. 2 f is a front view of a batten coupled to another embodiment of a single upper batten riser and mounting assembly;

FIG. 2 g is a cross-section view of FIG. 2 f;

FIG. 2 h is a front view of a batten coupled to the single upper batten riser and mounting assembly member of FIG. 2 d;

FIG. 2 i is a front view of a single upper batten riser according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 j is a front view of an upper batten riser with nested shiplap joints according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view a lower vertical drip channel support assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 b is a perspective close up view of the lower vertical drip channel support assembly of FIG. 3 a according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 a is a flowchart for assembling one embodiment of a cool roof batten assembly according to the present invention, including a lower vertical drip channel and vapour barrier;

FIG. 4 b is a flowchart for assembling another embodiment of a cool roof batten assembly according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of a vertical batten spacer positioned on a roof surface or deck;

FIG. 5 b is a perspective view of a lower vertical drip channel support assembly positioned on the vertical batten spacer of FIG. 5 a;

FIG. 5 c is a perspective view of a vapour barrier positioned on the lower vertical drip channel support assembly of FIG. 5 b;

FIG. 5 d is a perspective view of an upper batten riser and mounting assembly positioned on the vapour barrier of FIG. 5 c;

FIG. 5 e is a perspective view of a horizontal batten secured to the upper batten riser and mounting assembly of FIG. 5 d,

FIG. 6 a is a front view of a horizontal batten secured to a roof batten assembly that is mounted on a roof deck according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 b is a front view of a horizontal batten secured to a roof batten assembly that is mounted on a roof truss according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 a is a front view of a horizontal batten secured to a roof batten assembly that is mounted on a roof deck according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 b is a front view of a horizontal batten secured to a roof batten assembly that is mounted on a roof truss according to a further embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of a flanged riser cap according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It may be evident, however that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

Referring to FIG. 1 a, a vertical batten spacer 100 is shown in accordance with the present invention. Vertical batten spacer 100 can be a pre-formed template, which facilitates the accurate positioning, layout and assembly of one embodiment of the cool roof batten assembly of the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 a, vertical batten spacer 100 essentially comprises a plurality of inverted U-shaped sheet material units, each unit having a series of upper surfaces 15 and side surfaces 25, adapted and dimensioned to receive and position, e.g. the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 or the lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300. Each unit is connected and is typically uniformly spaced a pre-determined distance apart by lower surfaces 20. The lower surfaces 20 contact the units at the lower portion of the side surfaces 25, as illustrated in FIG. 1 a. Side surfaces 25 extend perpendicularly relative to lower surface 20, at a uniform pre-determined height, as shown in FIG. 1 b. The spacing between upper surfaces 15 can correspond to a pre-determined spacing for vertical or horizontal battens (not shown) determined in accordance with local building codes, or as required. The lower surfaces 20 adjacent the side surfaces 25 may comprise pre-drilled apertures (not shown) that are used to secure the vertical batten spacer 100 to a roof structure. Vertical batten spacer 100 may be fabricated from sheet metal, plastic or polymers having a thickness of, for example, 24, 26 or 29 gauge material.

Referring to FIG. 2 a, an individual upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 is shown in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 comprises an essentially inverted U-shaped material having an upper surface 215 and side surfaces 220, with mounting flanges 225 coupled thereto. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the vertical batten spacer 100 of FIG. 1 a nests within the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290, and therefore the inverted U-shaped material is dimensioned accordingly. The height of the side surfaces 220 may vary and directly correlates with the volume of the above-sheathing ventilation space 540. Mounting flanges 225 extend perpendicularly outward by a pre-determined distance from the base of side surfaces 220, and may comprise pre-drilled apertures 240 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2 d at defined distances that are used to secure the assembly to a roof structure.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 has batten receiving structures 235 that are adapted to receive and position battens 520. The batten receiving structures 235 of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 may take a plurality of forms, such as flanges, channels, indentations or other forms, provided that they are able to receive and position battens 520 in accordance with the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 b, the upper surface 215 of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 250 may have opposed batten retention flanges 235, which are preferably uniformly spaced a predetermined distance apart. This distance is dependent upon the desired spacing of the battens.

FIG. 2 c shows a single upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 250, which comprises a single perforation 230 a and opposed batten retention flanges 235 a.

The batten retention flanges are shaped and adapted to receive and/or secure battens. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 c and 2 e, the batten retention flanges 235 a extend essentially perpendicular outward from the upper surface 215 and are adapted to receive and/or secure battens 250. In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 d and 2 h, the batten retention flanges 235 b of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 270 may be arranged and dimensioned to create grooves or channels, that are adapted to correspond with flanges 260 on battens 250 a.

During typical manufacturing of one embodiment, if the batten receiving structures 235 are integrally formed from the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member, a series of perforations 230, 230 a may develop in the upper surface 215 thereof, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 a to 2 c. However, it is also contemplated that the batten retention flanges 235 a may be added to the assembly member extraneously, obviating the need for perforations 230.

A variation of the riser embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 e is illustrated in FIGS. 2 f and 2 g. The batten retention flanges 235 a′ of the riser in this embodiment extend at an inward angle towards the batten, then perpendicularly and are adapted to receive and/or secure battens 250. Optionally, as shown in the cross-section of FIG. 2 g, the riser assembly comprises a return lip 225 a.

According to another embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 2 i, the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 280 has channels or indentations 235 c that are shaped and adapted to receive and/or secure battens 520. Akin to the retention flanges 235 a, the channels or indentations 235 c are preferably uniformly spaced a predetermined distance apart along the length of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 280 for receiving battens 520. The riser assembly of this embodiment has a straight edge and connects to adjoining sections with a butt joint.

A further embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 j. The upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 290 has channels or indentations 235 d that are shaped and adapted to receive and/or secure battens 520, similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 i. In this embodiment, successive lengths of upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 290 have stepped edges and are connected using nested shiplap joints 285. This type of connection creates a channel or indentation 235 e suitable for receiving and/or securing a batten 520 at the interface between successive lengths of upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 290. Preferably, the dimensions of channel or indentation 235 e is similar or identical to channels or indentations 235 d. This riser embodiment can accommodate both metal and wooden battens. In addition to shiplap joints 285, other joining configurations are contemplated.

Upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 may be fabricated from similar sheet metal as vertical batten spacer 100 or from other materials, where appropriate, such as wood.

Upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 may be used in conjunction with horizontal battens 520, and mounted on roofing material, such as a roof deck, trusses or rafters. In addition, upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 can be used together with other elements described herein, such as the vertical batten spacer 100 and/or the lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300. When used with battens 520, the space that forms between the upper surface 215 and mounting flanges 225, often called the sub-tile ventilation channel or the upper radiant ventilation zone 550, provides adequate ventilation of the underside of the roof deck.

In one embodiment of the present invention, upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 may be used in conjunction with vertical batten spacer 100 by aligning assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 on top of spacer 100 such that inner faces of side surfaces 220 are positioned adjacent to outer faces of side surfaces 25, thereby forming a roof jigging template (not shown). The formation of such a template facilitates the rapid and accurate installation of battens 520 to be mounted on a roof deck without the need for chalk lines or traditional batten gauges. In some embodiments, the height of side surfaces 220 can range from 1 to 3 inches. In one embodiment, the side surfaces 220 are ¾ inch high and the horizontal batten spacing is 14.5 inches.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the cool roof batten assembly may also incorporate a lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 as illustrated in FIG. 3 a The lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 typically comprises an upper surface 315, side walls 320, support flanges 330 and channel sides 335. Upper surface 315 has a series of perforations 317, which may be uniformly spaced a pre-determined distance apart along the entire length of upper surface 315. The perforations 317, which may be circular or some other shape, are adapted to receive fasteners, such as nails or screws, for fastening the lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 together with other elements of the roof batten assembly described herein, and/or to sheathing, a truss or a rafter 560.

A U-shaped drip channel 325, having a base of pre-determined width, is positioned perpendicular to and between side walls 320 and channel side walls 335. The depth of drip channel 325 depends on the height of side walls 320 and channel side walls 335, respectively. The higher the channel side walls 335, the deeper the drip channel. The batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 may be mounted onto vertical drip channel support assembly 300 the drip channel 325, and therefore, the height of the side walls 320 of the drip channel 325 may correlate with the height of the side surfaces 220 of the assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290. In some embodiments, side walls 320 have a height ranging from 1 to 3 inches.

In some embodiments, a lumber batten riser may be used in the roof batten assembly instead of a lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300. An upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 would then be mounted on the upper surface of the lumber batten riser.

FIG. 4 a shows a flowchart for assembling the cool roof batten assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, vertical batten spacer 100 is positioned on the roof surface or deck 500, preferably in sequential fashion parallel to eaves and ridges, and fastened to roof surface or deck 500 at 405, as shown in FIG. 5 a. Vertical batten spacer 100 functions as a template for positioning the lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 and/or upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290. Lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 is positioned perpendicular to and in a nesting relationship with the vertical batten spacer 100 such that upper surface 315 is directly above upper surface 15 of vertical batten spacer 100 at 410, as shown in FIG. 5 b.

A space between upper surfaces 15 and 315 is formed which allows sufficient air flow to cool the roof. The assembly 300 functions as a drip channel and as a support for a flexibly rigid or flexible radiant vapour barrier 512, 510.

In this embodiment, a flexible radiant vapour barrier 510 is positioned in direct contact with upper surface 315 and support flanges 330 of lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 at 415, as shown in FIG. 5 c. In another embodiment, not illustrated, a flexibly rigid vapour barrier 512 may be used instead of the flexible vapour barrier 510, as discussed below.

Upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 is positioned on vapour radiant barrier 510 such that the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 is aligned and in a nesting relationship with the lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 at 420, as shown in FIG. 5 d. The placement of upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 over barrier 510 effectively sandwiches or suspends barrier 510 in place at a prescribed height. By suspending barrier 510, a lower partitioned above-sheathing ventilation space 540 and an upper sub-tile ventilation channel 550 are formed within the roof sub-assembly on either side of the barrier 510. The location of the ventilation spaces 540 and channels 550 are depicted in the embodiment of FIG. 6 a. The suspended barrier 510 of the present invention does not require a multitude of attachments, such as nails or screws, within the roof deck system, thereby improving the long term vapour resistance of the roof deck assembly.

Next, upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 and lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 is fastened to roof surface or deck 500 at 425, using fastening members 525, such as nails or screws. Steps 410 to 425 are repeated at pre-determined positions along the length of vertical batten spacer 100 until a desired number of upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 have been fastened to roof surface or deck 500 at 430. Horizontal battens 520, such as 2×2 inch wooden or metal battens 520, are inserted into batten receiving structures 235, such as between opposed batten retention flanges 235 a at 435, as shown in FIG. 5 e, and fastened to each upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 by inserting a fastening member 525.

FIG. 4 b shows a flowchart for assembling the cool roof batten assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Similar to previous embodiments, this embodiment comprises positioning a vertical batten spacer 100 on the roof surface or deck 500, preferably in sequential fashion parallel to eaves and ridges, and fastened to roof surface or deck 500 at 440. The lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 and flexible vapour barrier 510 are not utilized in this embodiment. Rather, the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 is positioned perpendicular to and in a nesting relationship with the vertical batten spacer 100 such that upper surface 215 is directly above upper surface 15 of vertical batten spacer 100 at 445.

Next, upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 is fastened to roof surface or deck 500 at 450, using fastening members 525, such as nails or screws. Steps 445 to 450 are repeated at pre-determined positions along the length of vertical batten spacer 100 until a desired number of upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 have been fastened to roof surface or deck 500 at 455. Horizontal battens 520, such as 2×2 inch wood or metal battens 520, are inserted in batten receiving structures 235 at 460, and fastened to each upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 by inserting a fastening member 525.

Fastening members 525 are illustrated in FIGS. 6 a, 6 b, 7 a and 7 b. The skilled worker having regard to the description will appreciate that other fastening members 525 can secure one or more components of the invention during assembly.

When one embodiment of the present invention is assembled, a first space develops between the lower surface of the barrier 510 and roof surface or deck 500 forming a thermal bridge, which is often referred to as the thermal air barrier zone, or above-sheathing ventilation space 540. The cubic capacity of the zone depends on the height of channel sides 335 and side surfaces 220. After completion of roof construction, the zone becomes a sealed, static air space or insulation barrier when occluded with an air channel closure strip 530, which reduces thermal bridging, improves thermal resistance and may result in energy savings, in comparison with the prior art.

A second space develops between the upper surface of barrier 510 and upper surface 215 of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290, which is often referred to as the sub-tile ventilation channel or upper radiant ventilation zone 550. The cubic capacity of this channel depends on the height of side surfaces 220.

The resulting ventilation lowers heat penetrating the attic 570, by reducing the inward flow of heat energy through a roof deck assembly, which may occur during the warm summer months. This often lowers the amount of heat penetrating a building's interior via its attic floor. In addition, sub-tile venting has the added benefit in cold snowy climates of reducing the outward flow of heat energy through a roof deck assembly (from, e.g. the building interior and attic), that may occur during the cold winter months. This often occurs as a result of snow collecting in eavestroughs, which closes the sub-tile ventilation systems inlets creating a static air layer, forming the thermal resistance characteristics described above.

The net effect of combining sub-tile ventilation by the sub-tile ventilation channel 550, radiant vapour barrier and the thermal air barrier zone 540 within the cool roof batten assembly of the present invention is increased energy savings when compared to traditional asphalt shingle roofs nailed directly to a roof deck.

A person of skill in the art will appreciate that the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 or lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 may also be mounted directly to the roof deck or mounted on a vertical batten, truss or rafter 560. Some of these alternate embodiments will forego the advantages associated with using lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300, such as additional support for radiant barriers. It is also contemplated that the vapour barrier may be a flexible barrier 510, a rigid barrier or a flexibly rigid barrier 512 such as those known in the art.

For example, FIG. 6 a illustrates a roof batten assembly mounted on a roof deck 500 comprising a flexibly rigid vapour barrier 512 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Although not illustrated, a vertical batten spacer 100 may be utilized with this embodiment as described above. A plurality of lower vertical drip channel support assemblies 300 are fastened to the roof deck 500. In this embodiment, a flexibly rigid vapour barrier 512 is positioned in direct contact with an upper surface of the support flanges 330 of lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 and temporarily held in position with the mounting flanges 225 of an upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 until securely fastened with fastening members 525. Thermal air barrier zones 540 and upper radiant ventilation zones 550 are thus produced. One or more thermal air barrier zones 540 may be partially or fully occluded with an air channel closure strip 530. Accurate alignment of batten receiving structures of the adjacent upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 is accomplished by positioning a horizontal batten 520 in the first batten receiving structure closest to the edge of the roof deck 500, or eave. The corresponding upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 are then aligned accordingly. A fastening member 525 is used to attach the batten 520 to the upper batten riser and mounting assembly member 200, 250, 270, 280, 290, the lower vertical drip channel support assembly 300 and the roof deck 500.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 b. This embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 6 a with the exception that the plurality of lower vertical drip channel support assemblies 300 are mounted directly on roof trusses or rafters 560. The thermal air barrier zone 540 is often effectively removed in this embodiment, as there is no roof deck 500 to act as a partition. Rather, the area beneath the vapour barrier 512 is substantially in direct communication with the attic space 570 of the building.

FIG. 7 a illustrates a roof batten assembly mounted on a roof deck 500 comprising a flexible vapour barrier 510 according to another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment does not comprise lower vertical drip channel support assemblies 300. Although not illustrated, a vertical batten spacer 100 may be utilized with this embodiment as described above. In this embodiment, a flexible vapour barrier 510 is positioned in direct contact with the upper surface of the roof deck 500. A plurality of upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 and battens 520 are arranged in parallel on top of the vapour barrier 510 until securely fastened with fastening members 525. An upper radiant ventilation zone 550 is thus produced. Accurate alignment of batten receiving structures of the adjacent upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 is accomplished by positioning a horizontal batten 520 in the first batten receiving structure closest to the edge of the roof deck 500, or eave. The corresponding upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 are then aligned accordingly. Fastening members 525 are used to attach the battens 520 to the upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 and the roof deck 500. A roofing substrate 600, such as plywood, is typically then mounted to the upper surface of the batten 520.

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7 b. This embodiment is similar to that shown in FIG. 7 a with the exception that the plurality of upper batten riser and mounting assembly members 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 and flexible vapour barrier 510 are mounted directly on roof trusses or rafters 560. Upper radiant ventilation zones 552 are thus produced between batten 520 and vapour barrier 510. In this embodiment, the area beneath the vapour barrier 510 is effectively the attic space 570 of the building.

FIG. 8 depicts a flanged riser cap 700 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Riser cap 700 is made of metal or other suitable material. Riser cap 700 is seated on top of a variable height riser 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 of the present invention. If an increased height is required between the top of riser 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 and roof deck 500 or truss 560, riser cap 700 is positioned atop riser 200, 250, 270, 280, 290. Base 710 of riser cap 700 can be of variable height to accommodate any given height requirement. In the illustrated embodiment, base 710 is angled inwardly. In other embodiments, base 710 can have other configurations, so long as it functions to add height between riser 200, 250, 270, 280, 290 and batten (not illustrated in this figure). Flanges 720 of riser cap 700 are dimensioned to fit securely on top of riser 200, 250, 270, 280, 290. Opposed batten retention flanges 235 d secure batten in place. The riser cap 700 is a cost-effective option to add height to add variable riser height, when needed.

Although the description above contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments. Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1. An upper batten riser and mounting assembly member comprising: a. a unitary inverted U-shaped sheet material having an upper planar surface and two vertical side surfaces; b. a mounting flange extending outward perpendicularly from each of the ends of said sheet material; and c. two outwardly directed retention flanges coupled to said upper surface.
 2. The member of claim 1 wherein said mounting flanges are adapted to be mounted either horizontally or vertically to a roofing material.
 3. The member of claim 1 wherein said retention flanges are adapted to receive and/or secure a batten.
 4. An upper batten riser and mounting assembly comprising: a. a longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material having an upper planar horizontal surface and two vertical side surfaces; b. a mounting flange extending outward perpendicularly from each of the ends of said sheet material along the length thereof; and c. a plurality of pairs of retention flanges coupled to the upper surface at predetermined distances along the length of the sheet material.
 5. The upper batten riser and mounting assembly of claim 4 wherein said mounting flanges are adapted to be mounted vertically to a roofing material.
 6. The upper batten riser and mounting assembly of claim 4 wherein said retention flanges are adapted to receive and/or secure battens.
 7. A lower vertical drip channel support assembly comprising: a. a longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material having an upper planar horizontal surface and two vertical side surfaces; b. channel bottom surfaces extending outward from each end of said sheet material; c. channel side walls extending outward from each end of the channel bottom surfaces, said channel side walls being substantially perpendicular to said channel bottom surfaces and substantially parallel to said interior side walls; and d. support flanges extending outward from each end of said channel side walls, said support flanges being substantially perpendicular to said channel side walls.
 8. The lower vertical drip channel support assembly of claim 7 wherein said flanges are adapted to support a radiant barrier.
 9. The lower vertical drip channel support assembly of claim 7 wherein said lower vertical drip channel support assembly is dimensioned and adapted to support the upper batten riser and mount of claim 1, the upper batten riser mounting assembly of claim 4, the upper riser mount of claim 7, the upper riser mounting assembly of claim 10, and a sheathing layer.
 10. A vertical batten spacer comprising: a. a plurality of inverted U-shaped sheet material units, each unit having an upper planar surface and two side surfaces; b. at least one lower surface connecting the plurality of sheet material units at predetermined distances apart, the at least one lower surface extending outwardly and perpendicularly to the lower end of said side surfaces.
 11. The vertical batten spacer of claim 10 wherein said at least one lower surface is adapted to be mounted to a roofing material.
 12. The vertical batten spacer of claim 10 wherein each of the plurality of inverted U-shaped material is shaped and dimensioned to nest within the longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material of the lower vertical drip channel support assembly according to claim 7, within the unitary inverted U-shaped sheet material of the upper batten riser and mount member according to claim 1, and within the longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material of the upper batten riser mounting assembly according to claim
 4. 13. A cool roof batten assembly comprising: a. the vertical batten spacer assembly according to claim 10 mounted to a roofing material; b. the lower vertical drip channel support assembly according to claim 7 mounted transversely to the length of the vertical batten spacer assembly, the longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material of the lower vertical drip channel being in a nested relationship with an inverted U-shaped sheet material unit of the vertical batten spacer assembly; c. the upper batten riser and mounting assembly of claim 4 mounted along the length of the lower vertical drip channel support assembly, the longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly being in a nested relationship with the inverted U-shaped sheet material unit of the lower vertical drip channel support assembly; and d. a radiant barrier mounted and supported between the lower vertical drip channel support assembly and the upper batten riser and mounting assembly, the radiant barrier extending laterally between successive lower vertical drip channel support assembly-upper batten riser and mounting assembly units.
 14. A cool roof batten assembly comprising: a. the vertical batten spacer assembly according to claim 10 mounted to a roofing material; and b. the upper batten riser and mounting assembly of claim 4 mounted transversely to the length of the vertical batten spacer assembly, wherein the longitudinally extending inverted U-shaped sheet material of the upper batten riser and mounting assembly is in a nested relationship with an inverted U-shaped sheet material unit of the vertical batten spacer assembly. 